What a Balanced Home-Style Thali Looks Like

1. A dal or a protein sabzi

Dal, rajma, chole, kadhi or paneer gives you protein that keeps you full. If your tiffin is two dry vegetables and nothing else, the afternoon slump comes early.

2. A vegetable sabzi

Seasonal vegetables cooked with light oil and simple spices. Aloo, gobhi, tori, ghiya, beans and mushroom all count. Variety across the week matters more than any single dish.

3. Roti and rice, in moderation

Roti is the base of a North Indian thali, with a smaller portion of rice. If you are watching your weight, keep the roti and cut the rice, rather than the other way round.

4. Something fresh

A small salad adds crunch, fibre and freshness. It is the easiest part of the plate to skip and the one you miss when it is gone.

5. A small sweet

In a traditional thali the sweet is small and part of the meal, not an afterthought. A little halwa or kheer is a reason to look forward to lunch.

Quick checklist for your tiffin

• Is there a dal or protein dish every day?
• Does the sabzi change through the week?
• Is the oil light and the food fresh, not greasy?
• Is there a salad and a small sweet?
• Do you finish it and feel good two hours later?

Try a balanced thali from Owala's Kitchen

Our daily menu follows this plate: a sabzi or dal, roti, rice, salad and a sweet, in pure-vegetarian, home-style cooking with a new menu every day. See the weekly menu or message us on WhatsApp.